Cortical activation during visual illusory walking in persons with spinal cord injury: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the location of cortical activation during a visual illusion walking paradigm, a recently proposed treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI)-related neuropathic pain, in persons with SCI compared with able-bodied controls.

DESIGN

Pilot experimental functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) trial.

SETTING

Outpatient rehabilitation clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Persons with paraplegia (n=3) and able-bodied participants (n=5) were included in this study.

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Cortical activation as measured by the blood oxygenation level-dependent method of fMRI.

RESULTS

During visually illusory walking there was significant activation in the somatosensory cortex among those with SCI. In contrast, able-bodied participants showed little to no significant activation in this area, but they showed activation in the frontal and premotor areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment modalities for SCI-related neuropathic pain that are based on sensory input paradigms (eg, virtual walking, visual illusory walking) may work by targeting the somatosensory cortex, an area that has been previously found to functionally reorganize after SCI.